Defence Diversification Agency

Lord Gladwin of Clee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What conclusions they have reached about the future of the Defence Diversification Agency.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We remain fully committed to defence diversification--the "spin out" of defence technology to the civil sector for wider benefit. The Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) has made a very successful start in delivering that policy objective since its establishment in 1999. The implementation of our Public Private Partnership proposals for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) will make a further and very substantial contribution to defence diversification. It will be in the interest of "NewDERA" to exploit opportunities for the "spin-out" of defence technology to the civil sector. At the same time we shall want to ensure that the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory (DSTL), the part of DERA to be retained in the MoD, also contributes fully to defence diversification activity.
	Since the DDA currently operates as part of DERA, some reorganisation over the next few months is inevitable. Responsibility for the agency, we propose, will be transferred from DERA to MoD headquarters, from where it would continue to facilitate the achievement of our defence diversification objectives. It would ensure that opportunities for "spin-out", and also the "spin-in" of civil technology to the MoD, are disseminated and exploited, and that industry is assisted with its own diversification planning. A major part of diversification activities would in future be undertaken from within NewDERA and DSTL, by existing DDA staff operating from their current locations, continuing the work that they do now, and transferred to NewDERA and DSTL for that purpose.
	We shall work closely with industry and other stakeholders to ensure that the DDA continues to secure our policy objectives. Detailed new arrangements will now be worked out and we shall consult about the staffing implications in the normal way. In the light of experience of the new organisation, we shall consider further the establishment of a Defence Diversification Council.

Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Atomic Energy Establishment at Aldermaston is operating under all the appropriate licences.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston currently operates under all licences appropriate to its role.

Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Atomic Energy Establishment at Aldermaston has full and unqualified emission permits with respect to the levels of radioactivity in waste products.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston is currently authorised by the Environment Agency to discharge radioactive waste within carefully prescribed and regulated limits. The Environment Agency carries out periodic reviews to ensure that these limits and the appropriate conditions imposed on AWE as part of its authorisation are fully observed.

Elmhurst Park, Suffolk: Greenhouses

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take urgent steps to list the greenhouses in Elmhurst Park, Suffolk, which Woodbridge Town Council propose to dismantle and remove.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has asked English Heritage to assess urgently whether these structures meet the criteria for listing and to advise him accordingly.

Veterinary Medicines: RPS Registration Fees for Agricultural Merchants and Saddlers

Lord Tomlinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the fees to be paid by merchants and saddlers for registration in 2001-02 with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain under the Medicines (Exemptions for Merchants in Veterinary Drugs) Order 1998 have been determined.

Baroness Hayman: With the consent of the Treasury, the schedule of fees for registration, retention and restoration have been determined. This is given in the attached table:
	
		Fees
		
			 Application in respect of each premises Previous fee New fee 
			 Agricultural Merchants (£) (£) 
			 1. For retention under article 5 197 224 
			 2. For retention of registration under article 5 122 133 
			 3. For restoration of registration under article 5 166 190 
			 Saddlers 
			 1. For registration under article 5 123 127 
			 2. For retention of registration under article 5 73 78 
			 3. For restoration of registration under article 5 107 107

Overseas Territories: Corporal and Capital Punishment

Lord Monson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 19 December, whether the United Kingdom is under any obligation under international law or convention to remove corporal or capital punishment from the statute books of self-governing Overseas Territories.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Abolition of judicial corporal punishment last year in the British Virgin Islands, the last Overseas Territory to do so, fulfilled the United Kingdom's obligation in that regard under the European Convention on Human Rights. There is no present international obligation to abolish capital punishment in the Overseas Territories, since the relevant Protocols to the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights have not yet been extended to the Territories. But the Government wish to be in a position to extend the Protocols, once the situation in the Territories fully reflects that in the United Kingdom.

Moses Room: Hearing Aid Induction Loop

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What steps are being taken to ensure that there is a hearing loop system installed in the Moses Room prior to the first day of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill being taken in Grand Committee.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish: A hearing aid induction loop was installed in the Moses Room in 1993. It is connected to the sound-activated microphone system, which must be switched on for the induction loop to work.

Council of Europe and WEU Parliamentary Assembly: UK Delegation

Lord Gladwin of Clee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will announce the full composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Western European Union.

Baroness Jay of Paddington: The United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is as follows:
	
		
			   
			 Leader The Right Honourable Terry Davis MP  
			 Full Representatives Substitute Members 
			 David Atkinson MP Malcolm Bruce MP 
			 Sir Sydney Chapman MP The Lord Clinton-Davis 
			 Tom Cox MP Ms Ann Cryer MP 
			 Lawrence Cunliffe MP Mike Hancock CBE, MP 
			 Bill Etherington MP Robert Jackson MP 
			 Paul Flynn MP Ms Jenny Jones MP 
			 Mrs Maria Fyfe MP The Lord Judd 
			 The Lord Kirkhill The Baroness Knight of  Collingtree DBE 
			 Kevin McNamara MP Tony Lloyd MP 
			 Jim Marshall MP The Lord Rotherwick 
			 Edward O'Hara MP Ms Christine McCafferty MP 
			 The Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Alan Meale MP  
			 The Lord Russell-Johnston Gwyn Prosser MP 
			 John D. Taylor MP Sydney Rapson MP 
			 John Townend MP Ms Geraldine Smith MP 
			 John Wilkinson MP Rudi Vis MP 
			 Jimmy Wray MP David Wilshire MP

Family Law Act 1996: Information Meetings Provisions

Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the final evaluation report of research into pilot information meetings under Part II of the Family Law Act 1996, and whether they now intend to implement Part II of the Act.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The final evaluation report has been published today, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. I am grateful to Professor Walker and her team at Newcastle University for the very detailed and informative report they have produced.
	On 17 June 1999, Official Report col.WA39, the Government announced that it would await the final evaluation report before deciding the way forward on Part II.
	The research has concluded that none of the six models of information meeting tested over a two-year period is good enough for the implementation of Part II on a nationwide basis. It has shown that, for most people, the meetings came too late to save marriages and tended to incline those who were uncertain about their marriages towards divorce. Whilst people valued the provision of information, the meetings were too inflexible, providing general information about both marriage saving and the divorce process. People wanted information tailored to their individual circumstances and needs. In additon, in the great majority of cases, only the person petitioning for divorce attended the meeting, but marriage counselling, conciliatory divorce and mediation depend for success on the willing involvement of both parties.
	The report has suggested testing a further model designed to address the majority of the shortcomings identified in the pilots. However, this new kind of meeting would not solve the underlying problems associated with compulsory information meetings, in particular the timing of the meetings in the divorce process and their inability to engage both parties.
	Furthermore, in the Government's view, the problems with Part II are not limited to the provisions on information meetings. The new procedures would be complex and likely to lead to significant delay and uncertainty which would not be in the best interests of the couple or their children. There are concerns that its provisions would prove unworkable in practice.
	The Government therefore do not believe Part II would fulfil the principles of Part I of the Act, to which they remain committed. These principles include saving saveable marriages and, where marriages break down, bringing them to an end with the minimum distress to the parties and children affected.
	The Government are not satisfied that it would be right to proceed with the implementation of Part II and propose to invite Parliament to repeal the relevant sections of the Family Law Act 1996 once a suitable legislative opportunity occurs. This decision does not affect section 22, in Part II, relating to the funding of marriage support services, which is in force and will remain so. In addition, while it is not possible to implement separately the provisions at sections 9(3) and (4) of Part II, the Government are sympathetic to the needs of Jewish women who are denied a religious divorce, and are considering the best way forward.
	The Government will draw on the evaluation report and build on the initiatives already under way in their efforts to support marriage and stable relationships and to reduce the damaging impact of family conflict and relationship breakdown on children. They have taken forward a wide range of measures over the past three years to help families, including establishing the new Children's Fund and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, improving maternity and parental leave arrangements, and increasing funding for marriage and relationship support to a total of £5 million per annum by 2002-2003.

Northern Ireland: Civil Justice Reform Group  Report

Lord Dubs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking in respect of the recommendations in the final report of the Civil Justice Reform Group in Northern Ireland.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The final report of the Civil Justice Reform Group was published on 16 June with a consultation period until the end of September. My original purpose in establishing the group was to ensure a reform programme tailored to Northern Ireland's needs and informed by those with practical experience of the system.
	I am very grateful to Lord Justice Campbell, who chaired the group, and to the other members for their work. I am also grateful to those who responded during the consultation period. Broadly, I accept the report's main direction and its principal recommendations. There are notable departures from arrangements in England and Wales but I am satisfied they are appropriate in the Northern Ireland context.
	There are a few technical recommendations in relation to expert evidence on which I do not share the views expressed in the report. These will require further consideration and of course there are other points of detail to be looked at closely during the implementation process, but overall I am of the view that the report's recommendations represent a major step forward in the reform of the civil justice system in Northern Ireland to make it as accessible, economic and efficient as possible. Implementation will begin as soon as possible with an increase in the small claims jurisdiction early this year followed by an approximately two-year rolling programme of subordinate legislation and operational changes.

Marriage and Relationship Support

Lord Grabiner: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What grants they have made towards marriage and relationship support in the current financial year.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: During the current financial year (2000-01), my department will spend £4 million on marriage and relationship support, an increase of £0.8 million on funding for the financial year 1999-2000.
	The funding has been allocated as follows: Relate--£2,396,585; Tavistock Marital Studies Institute £486,161; Marriage Care--£333,516; One Plus One--£357,000; Jewish Marriage Council--£48,313; Family Welfare Association--£99,925; London Marriage Guidance--£100,000; Parentline Plus--£60,000; National Marriage Week--£30,000; Community Family Projects--£30,000; 2as1.net--£40,000; and Asian Family Counselling Service--£18,500.
	The funding will be spent on improving existing marriage and relationship support services, research into the most effective interventions, and disseminating good practice.
	I am increasing the amount of money available to £4.5 million from the next financial year (2001-02).

Local Authority Publicity: Code of Recommended Practice

Baroness Goudie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to review the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity.

Lord Whitty: As indicated in our response to the report of the Joint Committee on the Draft Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill (Cm 4529) we intend to review the code to reflect the changes in councils' constitutions and the referendums and petitions resulting from the Local Government Act 2000.
	We have today, therefore, issued a consultation paper setting out proposed alterations to the code. These proposals reflect in particular the importance of councils consulting with their local communities, that individual councillors can take decisions, and that referendums, petitions and mayoral elections can take place under the Local Government Act 2000. A copy of this paper has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Litter Collection on Motorways and Trunk Roads

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will list the contractors at present holding contracts with the Highways Agency for the removal of litter from the motorways and trunk roads in England, indicating in respect of each contract the dates of starting and ending and the roads to be covered.

Lord Whitty: On motorways and the trunk roads listed in Table A below, sweeping and cleaning is the responsibility of managing agents who supervise term contractors also employed by the Highways Agency. A map has been placed in the Library which, with Table B below, shows the areas where the agents and contractors operate and the starting and ending dates of their contracts.
	
		Table A
		
			 Road No. Description 
			 A2 From its junction with the M2 motorway (Junction 1) to its junction with the M25 motorway (Junction 2) 
			 A282 From its junction with the M25 motorway (Junction 30) to its junction with the M25 motorway (Junction 2) 
			 A27 From the southern end of the A3(M) to its junction with the M27 motorway 
			 A56 From its junction with the M66 motorway to its junction with the M65 motorway 
			 A5103 From its junction with the M56 motorway (Junction 3) to its junction with the M60 (was M63) motorway (Junction 9) 
		
	
	
		Table B Managing Agent and Term Contractors: Areas and Dates
		
			 Maintenance Area Management Agent Contractor 
			 Area 1 Cornwall & Devon Mott MacDonald April 1998 to March or May* 2002 Amey Construction April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 2 Somerset, Avon, Wilts, Glos & Oxon WS Atkins April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 Raynesway Construction April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 
			 Area 3 Hampshire, Surrey & W Sussex Mott MacDonald April 1997 to end of August 2001 Raynesway Construction April 1997 to end of August 2001 
			 Area 4 Kent, Essex & E Sussex W S Atkins April 1998 to March or May* 2002 Carillion April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 5 Berks, Oxon, Bucks, Herts & Essex Kennedy & Donkin April 1997 to end of August 2001 Amey Construction April 1997 to end of August 2001 
			 Area 6 Herts, Essex, Cambs, Suffolk & Norfolk Owen Williams Consulting Engineers April 1997 to end of August 2001 Ringway Group April 1997 to end of August 2001 
			 Area 7 Leics, Notts, Cambs, Rotherham & Rutland PLaN (Parkman, Leics CC and Notts CC) April 1998 to March or May* 2002 BLN Routecare (Bardon Aggregates) April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 8 Bucks, Herts, Beds, Essex, Cambs & Northants Thorburn Colquhoun April 1997 to end of August 2001 Carillion April 1997 to end of August 2001 
			 Area 9 Glos, Herefords, Worcs & Shropshire W S P Graham April 1998 to March or May* 2002 Ringway Group April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 10 Cheshire and Shropshire Babtie April 1998 to March or May* 2002 Amey Construction April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 11 Northants, Warks, Leics, Staffs & Shropshire W S Atkins April 1998 to March or May* 2002 Accord-Jarvis JV April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 12 West Midlands W S Atkins April 1998 to March or May* 2002 Accord-Jarvis JV April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 13 Lincs Opus International April 1999 to end of March or May* 2002 Amey Construction April 1999 to end of March or June* 2002 
			 Area 14 Derbyshire, South Pennines, Staffs & Cheshire Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick April 1998 to March or May* 2002 Carillion April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 15 Greater Manchester Motorways Parkman Ltd April 1998 to March or May* 2002 Alfred McAlpine April 1998 to March or May* 2002 
			 Area 16 West & South Yorks & Humber Ports Motorways WSP Graham April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 Carillion April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 
			 Area 17 Lancs & North Merseyside Lancashire CC April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 Nuttall April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 
			 Area 18 Durham, North, East & West Yorks Halcrow Consulting Engineers April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 Amey Construction April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 
			 Area 19 Cumbria Mouchel Consulting/Amey Construction JV April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 Carillion April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 
			 Area 20 Northumbria Northumbria Trunk Road Partnership April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 Colas April 1999 to end of March or May* 2003 
		
	
	*End Dates: Contracts run to 31 March but for operational reasons these may be extended for a few months.
	
		
			 The following 4 Contracts Have been novated to London Mayor ManagingAgent Term Contractor 
			 Area 21 North London Mouchel From April 1998 Accord-Jarvis JV From April 1998 
			 Area 22 East London W.S. Atkins From April 1998 Fitzpatrick Contractors From April 1998 
			 Area 23 South London Parkman Ltd From April 1997 Fitzpatrick Contractors From April 1997 
			 Area 24 West London WSP Graham From April 1997 Amey Construction From April 1997 
		
	
	
		Table C DBFO companies and their areas (including dates)
		
			 Company Name Road Number Description Dates 
			 Road Management Services (Peterborough) A1(M) A1 350m south of junction with Great North Road (A604) to 280m north of Fletton Parkway interchange (21km), also short section of A604 (was A14). Feb 1996 for 30 years. 
			 Yorkshire Link M1/A1 M1 from Lofthouse interchange (Junc. 42) to A1 1km north of A64 
			 (A1 south limit is at Hook Moor), Also M62 East of Junction 28 to Lofthouse interchange. Total 29Km March 1996 for 30 years 
			 Road Management Services (Gloucester) A417 & A419 M5 junction 11a near Gloucester to M4 junction 15 near Swindon, 51Km Feb 1996 for 30 years 
			 Road Link (A69) A69 M6 near Carlisle to A1 (Newcastle upon Tyne western Bypass) 84Km Jan 1996 for 30 years 
			 Autolink Concessionaires (A19) A19 & A168 From A1 north of Dishforth to Junction with A19 south of Thirsk, then A19 northwards to junction with A185 immediately south of southern entrance to Tyne tunnel; also A174 from Junction with A19 to junction with A1053; also A1053 from junction with A19 to junction with A1053 also A1053 from junction with A19 to junction with A1085. 104km Oct 1996 for 30 years 
			 Connect (A30) A30 & A35 A30 from M5 junction 29 to A30/A35 junction near Honiton, then A35 to A31/A35 junction at Bere Regis. 101Km July 1996 for 30 years 
			 Connect (A50) A50 & A564 (now redesignated A50) From junction with A521 near Forsbrook (south east of Stoke on Trent) to junction with A6 near Shardlow, close to M1 at junction 24 56Km May 1996 for thirty years 
			 UK Highways M40 Junction 1 (A40 at Denham) to Junction 15 (A46 at Warwick) 122Km October 1996 for thirty years 
		
	
	Notes for Map: In London the Mayor has taken over all trunk roads within the Greater London area and all responsibilities associated with them, except for the ends of motorways that reach into London (for example the M4 or the M1). In the case of these roads the responsibility remains with the Highways Agency and its managing agents and term contractors.